Gundam, the Gundam journey of a certain glue guy and his mecha girl.

"Another option?"

Raven asked, already having a vague answer in his mind.

"Hmph, I've seen that mass production plan too. It's basically an iron coffin. Not only have the basic performance of the machine been significantly reduced, but it also lacks a backpack swapping function, and even EMP protection has been cut. That thing has no advantages other than being cheap; it's simply unbearable to look at!"

Halbarton sighed and vented his complaints about the higher-ups.

"Forget it, let's not talk about this anymore. Let the idiots at headquarters do whatever they want. All I need to do now is manage the fleets on the moon."

Halbarton changed the subject and asked.

"I heard that Orb has also started mass-producing its own mobile suits. Dr. Ray, what do you think of the level of mobile suits in Orb?"

Raven sat up a few degrees; this was his area of ​​expertise.

"Coincidentally, I personally drove the Ob Army's M1 Heretic a few days ago."

Raven recalled his feelings during the previous simulation battle.

"That's a good machine, with excellent basic performance. Even in its bare state without backpacks, its overall performance is better than the Dagger L. The machine is very light, has a fast response time, and excellent maneuverability. In the hands of an excellent pilot, it can unleash considerable combat power. However, it lacks the ability to change backpacks according to mission requirements. All things considered, I think the Dagger L is still superior."

Raven paused slightly at this point.

"However, although the M1 Heretic is a very good mobile suit, Orb will find it difficult to withstand a large-scale invasion with just this one type of MS. Orb is too small and has limited defensive depth, and the Orb Navy does not have the ability to push its defenses forward to the sea."

"Hmm? You think Obu will be attacked by ZAFT?"

Halbarton frowned slightly.

Raven shook his head.

"I think that Aub is more likely to be attacked by the coalition forces than Zaft."

Raven paused for a moment, organizing his thoughts before continuing.

"Of the only four mass accelerators on Earth, one is at the Kaguya Spaceport in Orb. Now that Kaohsiung and Victoria Spaceports have fallen, if ZAFT were to capture the last remaining Panama Spaceport, the Coalition Headquarters would definitely choose to target Orb, given their nature. After all, in their view, tiny Orb is easier to deal with than ZAFT."

Raven's words made Halbarton take this potential seriously, after all, Orb was a very important ally to him.

Over the past two months, Halbarton has been quite active, making covert contact with representatives of various forces.

There are neutral forces such as lunar cities and the Scandinavian Kingdom, as well as forces within the Earth Union such as the Republic of South America and the Atlantic Federation that are dissatisfied with the Atlantic Federation.

For these forces, Blue Cosmosism and the LOGOS behind it are, in some ways, more dangerous than ZAFT. Now that someone like Halbarton, who is both capable and accomplished, is willing to stand up and confront them, it is a welcome development for these forces.

Moreover, they could gain access to MS technology, which was exclusively owned by the Atlantic Federation. Why wouldn't they do that?

It was thanks to their financial support that Halbarton had enough resources to get the mass production of the Dagger L on track in just two months.

However, while these forces could provide Halbarton with financial assistance, they could not provide him with technical support.

Just like during the development of Project G, although Raven played an important role in the project, the implementation of Project G could not have been achieved without the support of Orb Dawn Society.

For Halbarton, Ob ​​was an important ally and could not be easily abandoned.

"Hmm, I understand. I'll remind Representative Athha of Orb about this."

Halbarton's tone became serious, and he sat up straight, abandoning his previous somewhat lazy demeanor.

"Besides that, I have another important matter I'd like to entrust to you today."

Halbarton lowered his voice by half a beat.

“Just recently, the Klein faction from PLANT approached me. They revealed some cooperation intentions to me, but for the specific details, they asked me to send a representative to discuss them in person.”

Halbarton's gaze pierced through the screen and went straight into Raven's eyes.

"I hope you can serve as my envoy and go to PLANT to make direct contact with them."

"Me?"

Raven asked, somewhat surprised.

“Yes, I remember you know Sigel Klein’s daughter. Of all the people I trust, you’re the only one with that personal connection. It’ll be much easier to talk things out if you’re the one to make contact. Please, help me find out their true intentions.”

Raven paused for a moment, then raised his head, letting his gaze pass through the Archangel's heavy armor and look at the starry sky above.

“I see, I understand. Then I’ll take this job. I’d also like to go and see PLANT. But before that, it’s time to put an end to the legend of the ‘Skyfire Crow’ for now.”

Author's message

Oops, I mistyped the chapter number. I meant "coin".

Chapter 61 The Final Performance (Part 1)

The Archangel's departure day was a clear morning.

"Clear skies and high waves today," was how Orb described the weather for the day in his forecast.

Kira stood at the bottom of the gangway, carrying a packed suitcase, about to step onto the gangway.

But the next moment, a hand landed on his shoulder.

Raven stopped him.

"Teacher? Why didn't you take me with you?"

Kira's voice was filled with confusion.

"In a couple of days, I'm going to PLANT with Mentor Marcio. You'll come with me then."

Raven's figure passed Kira, and he turned to continue speaking to him.

"You've already seen Earth in war, so you should also see PLANT in war. Without witnessing both sides simultaneously, you'll become as extreme as a blue cosmos advocate."

However, Kira did not accept Raven's arrangement.

“But I can’t just stand by and watch the Archangel be attacked. Once we leave Orb, ZAFT will definitely launch an attack on us!”

Kira recalled the scene of meeting Athrun that day. Athrun knew that he was the pilot of the Strike Force, so he would definitely be waiting for the Archangel outside Orb's territory.

Raven knew exactly what the Archangel would encounter after leaving Orb's territorial waters, and he had made the necessary preparations for the battle.

"Don't worry so much, I have a plan. Besides, Mu has gradually become more familiar with piloting the Strike, and with me and El, the Archangel will be fine. Just wait for me to come back in Orb."

Raven put on a confident demeanor, trying to reassure Kira. Finally, he patted Kira on the shoulder and, under Kira's worried gaze, carried Al, who was using the Soldier Ant Body, up the gangway of the Archangel.

-----------------

Ultimately, the Archangel left Kira in Orb and set sail on its own.

Today, the sky is clear and the waves are high.

Orb's weather forecast was indeed accurate, and just as the Archangel left Orb's territorial waters, four mobile suits riding on UGUs blocked its way in the bright sunshine.

They are Aegis, Thunder, Duel, and Storm, the Sara squad responsible for pursuing the Archangel.

The Sara team quickly deployed, with Aegis and Thunder, Storm and Duel forming pairs, and headed towards the Archangel.

"The entire ship is configured for first-class combat readiness."

Following Maru's voice, the Archangel team quickly responded.

First, the two air superpowers boarded the catapults, followed by the Strike fighter equipped with an empty pack and the Dagger fighter equipped with a gun pack.

It's the same familiar machine, but this time, the pilot inside has changed.

Because Kira was left in Orb by Raven, Strike was handed over to Mu to pilot, while Raven and Al did not pilot Dagger as usual, but instead sat in the cockpit of Sky King One.

Inside the cockpits of the Dagger and Sky Overlord II, the positions that were originally the pilots' seats have been replaced with a quantum communication machine. The Sky Overlord I, where Raven is located, is responsible for issuing commands to these two drones.

The first unit was not equipped with an assault backpack; instead, it was fitted with a quantum communication pod.

Because the cockpit of the Sky King was too cramped, El did not use her humanoid body. Instead, she returned to her ant body after a long absence and took charge of using the quantum communication pod to remotely control Unit 2 and the short sword.

These quantum communication devices are products of the S-Gundam project, designed to enable the separation and combination of the three components of the S-Gundam in the complex electromagnetic environment of the battlefield.

Raven adopted this approach to confront Sara's team for two reasons: first, to conduct a practical test of the quantum communication machine; and second, to allow him, the "Skyfire Crow" who had been elevated to a divine status by the coalition's propaganda machine, to make a reasonable exit from the scene.

After all, Raven was going to PLANT next, and dying in the open would reduce the risk of being exposed.

Moreover, when the coalition forces turn against Logos in the future, the war heroes they themselves promoted will suddenly be resurrected and stand against them. This dramatic scene will have a huge impact on the morale of the coalition forces.

"Bridge, this is Raven of Air Overlord Unit 1. Strike preparations complete."

"Understood, control of the ejection unit has been transferred to the driver."

After the businesslike conversation ended, Miria, who was acting as the navigator, gave Raven an extra instruction.

"Teacher, please be careful, Kira is still waiting for you in Orb."

-----------------

Faced with Sara's squadron blocking the route, the Archangel showed no intention of turning back, instead opting for a tactic of breaking through head-on with the shortest route.

The battle quickly escalated into a fierce engagement. The Archangel's firepower poured down on the front, while Sara's squad easily evaded the Archangel's gunfire and split into two groups to launch attacks on the Archangel's port and starboard sides from the flanks.

"Is this what it feels like to operate MS? It's so exhilarating!"

Mu's excited voice came through the communication channel, and it was clear that he had long since had enough of the hardship of using mobile suits and fighter jets to fight against mobile suits.

Mu's assault ship was equipped with an empty backpack, which allowed it to hover in mid-air. With the help of auxiliary wings and high-thrust thrusters, it could create short-term hovering opportunities to restrain the attacks of Thunderstrike and Aegis on the starboard side of the Archangel.

Assault raised his beam rifle and aimed it at the Thunder Gundam charging ahead. A beam of emerald green forced Nicol to pull up his machine. Mu then drew his beam saber and gave chase.

However, as a rookie MS pilot, it was still too much for him to face the red-clad elites of Sara's squad alone.

Nicol easily dodged Strike's slash with a simple spin, then activated the beam saber in his shield and swung it back at Strike's waist. Mu barely managed to block the blow with his shield, but at that moment, Athrun seized the opportunity, raising the beam rifle in his hand and pointing it at Strike's back.

Just as Aslan was about to shoot down the Strike, a series of missiles roared in, forcing Aegis to abandon its firing and raise its shield to defend.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Dagger stood on the central deck of the Archangel, his Flame God continuously firing thick red and white beams of light, his precise shots repeatedly repelling Storm and Duel.

Something's not right.

Aslan frowned.

The attack was clearly not as fluid as before; he had just been suppressed by Swift Thunder in close combat.

'If it were Kira, he should be even stronger. Could it be that the one piloting the Assault isn't Kira right now?'

The short sword on the other side also felt a bit off to Aslan.

'His fighting style should be more aggressive.'

In the past, the short sword would have taken the initiative to try to capture or destroy Duel and Storm's Gau, instead of staying on the deck and using cannon fire to drive away the advancing Duel and Storm as they are now.

What exactly does this sense of incongruity mean?

Chapter 62 The Final Performance (Part 2) (4000 words)

The Sky Overlord No. 1 roared past over the battlefield.

"El, how's the quantum communication machine's performance?"

"Everything is normal. The command delay is within the expected range. The anti-interference performance of the quantum communication link meets expectations and has no impact on the current combat operation. We can proceed to the next stage."

"Then the high-mobility combat phase begins, and it's time to determine the winner."

Raven pressed the control stick, causing the Sky King One to fall from the sky, and at the same time, he activated communication with the Archangel.

“Bridge, this is Raven. Launch the Gwu.”

At the same time, the Sky King II temporarily broke away from its cover position and, under El's remote control, flew over the head of the short sword, dropping its anti-beam shield and beam rifle.

The short swordsman released the overheated Flame God from his hands, steadily caught the equipment dropped by the Sky Overlord II, and then, with a sudden burst of power from his legs, leaped high into the air with the thrusters, before landing steadily on the boulders that had just been ejected.

"Diago, that guy has made a move, be careful!"

"You don't need to say that!"

The short sword's proactive attack made Yzak and Diego tense at the same time, and the memory of being repeatedly defeated by the short sword kept surfacing in their minds.

Faced with the rapidly approaching short sword, Duel and Storm simultaneously unleashed all their firepower towards it, beams of light, railgun projectiles, and missiles weaving a nearly seamless barrage of firepower across the sky.

Seeing the short sword flying at high speed, Diego's face darkened. He unleashed another barrage of fire at the sword, this time in conjunction with his own duel.

However, the way the short sword moved this time gave them a strange feeling.

Previously, the short swords' movements were at least somewhat predictable, but the short swords they were facing now had completely changed their style, constantly using irregular, sharp-angled movements to shoo away their bullets, as if the pilot sitting inside could completely ignore G-forces.

"What the hell is going on?! Is that a concrete block or a person sitting in the cockpit?!"

Diego, sweating profusely, watched as the short sword, employing unbelievable maneuvers, pierced through the combined firepower of the storm and the duel, gradually closing in on him.